Walsall fell to a frustrating defeat at the hands of Rotherham United in the Central League Cup.
The visitors got their noses in front on the stroke of half time when Jerome Greaves tapped home from close range after a tight first half.
Greaves got his second on the hour mark before the Millers further stretched their lead when Jacob Gratton netted from the penalty spot.
There was little to separate the two teams in the first half as both sides battled for control.
Both teams had a decent opportunity in the first 30 minutes as Will Jenkinson’s powerful low drive was pushed away by Tommy Jackson before Ronan Maher’s dipping shot just missed the target.
The Saddlers had a series of efforts nine minutes before the break when Callum Derry burst into the area and went for goal from a tight angle but Millers goalkeeper Josh Chapman got in the way. A couple of attempts followed on the rebound but the visitors got their bodies in the way to make some good blocks.
A minute before half time, Rotherham opened the scoring when the ball was played across the face of goal and greaves applied the finish from close range to open the scoring.
The Saddlers appealed for a foul in the build up but to no avail as the goal stood.
Walsall started the second half well and came close to levelling four minutes into the half when Joe Willis’ powerful strike just missed the target.
Two minutes later, Maher tried his luck with a volley but Chapman was equal to it.
Despite the home sides bright start to the half, it was the Millers who got the second goal on the hour mark when the ball came into the box and was headed back across by Angus McDonald to Greaves who struck first time and found the back of the net.
Four minutes later, the visitors were awarded a penalty. Gratton stepped up and his spot kick found the net, going in off the post.
The Saddlers didn’t let their heads drop and continued to create opportunities.
Harry Manton fired wide before Joe Willis forced a brilliant save out of Chapman who managed to get in the way of his powerful header.
The Saddlers continued to push but couldn’t find a goal their efforts deserved.